Planning Permission in Longhope

Planning Permission in Longhope

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by councils, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to conform to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up plans and approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll likely still need to submit plans detailing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.